Editorial - The Cape Fear region is better off because of their dedicated service

Published: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 11:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 29, 2013 at 11:10 p.m.

Last week StarNews Media presented its 10th annual Lifetime Achievement Awards to three people whose community contributions were quite different, but which have enriched the Cape Fear region.

Dorothy DeShields gave her career to education, even after retirement, when she was elected to the New Hanover County Board of Education. John Jay Burney Jr. was a local lawyer and state lawmaker who introduced the bill that made the former Wilmington College part of the University of North Carolina system as UNCW. And E.T. "Tommy" Townsend served in the military, served North Carolina's schoolchildren as a teacher and served fellow veterans after his retirement in many different capacities.

As with other recipients over the past decade, each of these people has, through his or her own efforts, had an impact on life in Wilmington and/or North Carolina.

What they share in common is leadership – whether from the front or from behind – a sense of purpose and the determination to fulfill their vision. Their achievements are not measured in wealth, in accolades, or in wins, but in how their actions and gestures helped transform Wilmington and North Carolina.

It's an impressive list:

2003: Dan and Bruce Cameron, both businessmen and civic leaders whose family name on a number of local institutions reflects their contributions; and James Leutze, who led UNCW as its profile in programs such as marine science and film studies was rising.

2004: Seymour Alper, instrumental in establishing New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Bertha Todd, an educator and civil rights activist; and Robert Warwick, a major fundraiser and booster of UNCW who served on the boards of trustees of both UNCW and the UNC system.

2005: Daniel Gottovi, a founder of Wilmington Health Associates and advocate for better access to medical care; R. Bertram Williams Jr., involved in the creation of NHRMC; and the late Hugh Morton, who was instrumental in starting the N.C. Azalea Festival and bringing the Battleship North Carolina to Wilmington.

2006: Heyward C. Bellamy, the superintendent who guided New Hanover County Schools through integration; shipping company owner Estell C. Lee, the state's only female secretary of commerce; and R. Thomas Sinclair Jr., who founded Cape Fear Memorial Hospital.

2008: Windell Daniels, tour company founder and active resident; Karl Davis, who as WECT general manager immersed himself in local causes; Dr. George Koseruba, a pediatrician who practiced into his 90s; Betty Medlin, former Kure Beach mayor; David Sandifer of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners; and Alice von Oesen, whose civic work included helping build what's now the UNCW library. All were posthumous awards.

2009: Hannah Block, the city's first councilwoman and a charter member of the USO club at Second and Orange streets; Ben Halterman, former mayor of Wilmington credited with spearheading the revitalization effort; Frank Reynolds, an influential pediatrician.

2010: Bill and Bob Dobo, businessmen who have been generous to local causes; former Wrightsville Beach mayor Herb McKim, an architect whose contributions included designing the renovated N.C. Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Manteo and Pine Knoll Shores; Melton McLaurin, a history professor and UNCW official; and Connie Parker, founding executive director of Wilmington Health Access for Teens.

2011: Ernest Fullwood, retired Superior Court judge; Eric McKeithan, then president of Cape Fear Community College; and Louise McColl, businesswoman and influential behind-the-scenes player in local politics.

2012: Nancy Marks, honored for her work in support of the families of Alzheimer's patients; John A. "Sandy" and Ronald B. McNeill, whose unprecedented endowment to UNCW will fund programs in the nursing and business schools (their family name is on the nursing building); and Wilbur D. Jones Jr., a retired Navy captain and local historian who has ensured that future generations will know about Wilmington's significant contributions in World War II.

<p>Last week <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic18"><b>StarNews Media</b></a> presented its 10th annual Lifetime Achievement Awards to three people whose community contributions were quite different, but which have enriched the Cape Fear region.</p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic53"><b>Dorothy DeShields</b></a> gave her career to education, even after retirement, when she was elected to the New Hanover County Board of Education. John Jay Burney Jr. was a local lawyer and state lawmaker who introduced the bill that made the former Wilmington College part of the University of North Carolina system as <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a>. And E.T. "Tommy" Townsend served in the military, served North Carolina's schoolchildren as a teacher and served fellow veterans after his retirement in many different capacities.</p><p>As with other recipients over the past decade, each of these people has, through his or her own efforts, had an impact on life in Wilmington and/or North Carolina. </p><p>What they share in common is leadership – whether from the front or from behind – a sense of purpose and the determination to fulfill their vision. Their achievements are not measured in wealth, in accolades, or in wins, but in how their actions and gestures helped transform Wilmington and North Carolina.</p><p>It's an impressive list:</p><p><b>2003:</b> Dan and Bruce Cameron, both businessmen and civic leaders whose family name on a number of local institutions reflects their contributions; and James Leutze, who led UNCW as its profile in programs such as marine science and film studies was rising.</p><p><b>2004: </b>Seymour Alper, instrumental in establishing <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9969"><b>New Hanover Regional Medical Center</b></a>; Bertha Todd, an educator and civil rights activist; and Robert Warwick, a major fundraiser and booster of UNCW who served on the boards of trustees of both UNCW and the UNC system.</p><p><b>2005:</b> Daniel Gottovi, a founder of Wilmington Health Associates and advocate for better access to medical care; R. Bertram Williams Jr., involved in the creation of NHRMC; and the late Hugh Morton, who was instrumental in starting the N.C. <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/entertainment10"><b>Azalea Festival</b></a> and bringing the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic33"><b>Battleship North Carolina</b></a> to Wilmington.</p><p><b>2006:</b> Heyward C. Bellamy, the superintendent who guided New Hanover County Schools through integration; shipping company owner Estell C. Lee, the state's only female secretary of commerce; and R. Thomas Sinclair Jr., who founded Cape Fear Memorial Hospital.</p><p><b>2007: </b>James D. Hundley Sr., an orthopedic surgeon; Howard Loving, retired Navy captain; and Linda Pearce, founder and executive director of Elderhaus, which provides adult day care services.</p><p><b>2008: </b>Windell Daniels, tour company founder and active resident; Karl Davis, who as WECT general manager immersed himself in local causes; Dr. George Koseruba, a pediatrician who practiced into his 90s; Betty Medlin, former Kure Beach mayor; David Sandifer of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners; and Alice von Oesen, whose civic work included helping build what's now the UNCW library. All were posthumous awards.</p><p><b>2009: </b>Hannah Block, the city's first councilwoman and a charter member of the USO club at Second and Orange streets; Ben Halterman, former mayor of Wilmington credited with spearheading the revitalization effort; Frank Reynolds, an influential pediatrician.</p><p><b>2010: </b>Bill and Bob Dobo, businessmen who have been generous to local causes; former Wrightsville Beach mayor Herb McKim, an architect whose contributions included designing the renovated N.C. Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Manteo and Pine Knoll Shores; Melton McLaurin, a history professor and UNCW official; and Connie Parker, founding executive director of Wilmington Health Access for Teens.</p><p><b>2011:</b> Ernest Fullwood, retired Superior Court judge; Eric McKeithan, then president of <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9937"><b>Cape Fear Community College</b></a>; and Louise McColl, businesswoman and influential behind-the-scenes player in local politics.</p><p><b>2012:</b> Nancy Marks, honored for her work in support of the families of Alzheimer's patients; John A. "Sandy" and Ronald B. McNeill, whose unprecedented endowment to UNCW will fund programs in the nursing and business schools (their family name is on the nursing building); and Wilbur D. Jones Jr., a retired Navy captain and local historian who has ensured that future generations will know about Wilmington's significant contributions in World War II.</p>